Stools and the like



Dec. 20, 1955 E. H. GRUBER STOOLS THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 31, 1954 INVENTOR: flZ HLG b61 BY ,4 6? K24 ATTORNEYS.

1955 E. H. GRUBER v2,727,564

STOOLS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 51, 1954 INVENTOR.

lz'Zi $5561; BY A 66 Z A TTORNEYS.

Dec. 20,1955 E. H. GRUBER STOOLS AND THE LIK 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 31, 1954 FICA 6L IN V EN TOR.' fii/i/f. 0/11/101 BY [42,4 6? 42/,

A TTORNEYS.

United States Patent This invention relates to stools and the like. particularly, 1t1s concerned with stools which are foldable folded; minimum of space when folded; of which several can be internested for convenience of storage; and which, moreover, lends itself to ready fabrication in quantity at small cost.

Other objects and attendant advantages will appear from the following detailed description of the attached drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a folding stool conveniently embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation showing the stool collapsed.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in side elevation with the stool opened up in readiness for use.

Figs. 4 and 5 are similar to Fig. 3 showing successive stages in the folding of the stool.

Fig. 6 shows the front view of the stool when folded; and

Fig. 7 shows how several of the stools can be nested for storage when their use is not required.

As shown, my improved folding stool comprises two crossed leg components 1 and 2 which, respectively, are fashioned, preferably from tubing of a light weight metal such as aluminum or the like, to U-shaped configuration, and which are pivotally interconnected by transversely aligned bolts or rivets 3, the end portions 1a and 2a of the respective leg components being bent at complemental obtuse angles. The frame 4 for the seat component of the stool is fashioned to the form of a quadrangle, likewise from the tubing, and is pivotally connected at opposite sides to the terminal ends of the leg component 1 by transversely aligned bolts or rivets. The short links, designated 6, are pivotally connected at one end to a side of the seat frame 4 by, pins 7 spaced at equal distances from the corresponding pivots 5, and at the other end to the leg components 2 below the corresponding terminal ends of the latter at 8. It is to be particularly noted that the pivot pins 7 project outwardly of opposite sides of the seat frame 4. As shown, the seat frame 4 is spanned by crossed interlaced strands 9 of tape material preferably woven from water and stain proof yarns of plastic or the like.

When the stool is set up as in Figs. 1 and 3, it is prevented from collapsing under the weight of the user by engagement of the terminal end portions 2a of the leg component 2 with the stop projections of the pivot pins 7, as will be readily understood.

From Fig. 3 it will be seen that the stability of the stool, when fully opened up, is due to the fact that the axes of the links 6 are inwardly past dead center and out of line with respect to the main axes of the side portions of the leg component 2 by the distance X. Accordingly, the resistance to collapse of the stool increases in proportion to the weight sustained upon the seat component 4. It will be further noted that this is true even if the supported weight be concentrated at either the front or rear edge of the seat in Fig. 3.

To fold the stool, the leg components 1 and 2 are moved acute angle, and with the leg component 1 contacting the seat frame 4 in parallel relation.

With the stool fully folded as in Figs. 2 and 6, it can be nested with two others as shown in Fig. 7 with the transversely narrow leg components 1 of the rear two placed within the void in the wider leg component 2 of the frontal. one, and with the leg components 2 of the rear two beyond the corresponding component of the frontal one, the slight leg spread of all of them assuring that they will be self supporting in upright position. when folded, the stools of my invention occupy minimum amount of space either singly or when grouped, as just explained, for convenience of storage in a closet or in the trunk of an automobile.

Moreover, by virtue of being constructed of aluminum, the stool is light in weight and is therefore easily carried about.

The stool is not, of course, to be considered as limited to the use as such since, obviously, it may be utilized as a table for a serving tray, as a stand for luggage, as an auxiliary seat outdoors, in homes, hotels, motels, boats, etc., or as an elevated support for wash baskets, sewing kits and the like. As a further instance of utility, three of the stools will provide two seats and a table for playing games of various kinds.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A folding stool or the like comprising a pair of crossed U-shaped leg components; pivots connecting the side portion of the leg components at the regions of intersection; a seat component having a rigid frame; transversely aligned pivots connecting the terminal ends of one of the U-shaped leg components to opposite sides of the seat frame; a pair of relatively short links; transversely aligned pivots connecting the links at one end to the other leg component at equal distances from the extremities of the side portions of said component; and transversely aligned pivot pins connecting the opposite ends of the links to the aforesaid sides of the seat frame at points equally spaced from the pivots by which the first leg component is connected to the seat frame, said pins being outwardly prolonged and so located as to act as stops for the terminal end portions of said other leg component with said links past dead center in respect to the axes of the leg extremities to which they are connected as to prevent the stool from collapsing under weight when in use.

2. A folding stool or the like according to claim 1, wherein the upper end portions of the U-shaped leg components are bent at complemental obtuse angles.

3. A folding stool or the like according to claim 1, wherein the leg components and an open frame for the seat component are all fashioned from tubing of aluminum or the like, and wherein the seat frame is spanned from side to side and from end to end by interlaced strands of tape material.

4. A folding stool according to claim 1, wherein the lower portions of the leg components are spaced by a small acute angle for support of the stool upright when folded, and whereby the stool can be internested with several others for convenience of storage.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 106,384 Vavrik Oct. 5, 1937 D. 140,485 Salmon et a1 Feb. 27, 1945 1,957,417 Williams May 1, 1934 

